Sling it, Mama! #10: My own journey and top tips for babywearing

So we've come to the end of the Sling it, Mama! babywearing series, and to finish I thought I'd share my tuppence worth about my carrier, along with my top tips for  babywearing. Huge thanks to my nine guest bloggers for taking the time to pen a post over the last month, it's been a blast hosting you all! 

I have been blessed with two girls who as infants didn't/don't do sleeping in the car seat or the pram unless it's moving. Which is fine in principle, but I can't always be moving. With Effy I spent a lot of time drinking coffee in coffee shops with other mummies and their babies would curl up and sleep. Effy would only sleep on me when we were out and she was a big, big baby. My answer was a 2nd hand baby Bjorn. Hands free coffee drinking, sleeping baby. Win. But by 4 months, the Bjorn was out of our lives as it was too uncomfortable carrying 20lbs + and by then she could sit up and was awake more anyway, rolling around on the floor. Then I went back to work and she was happy in the pram and it wasn't until the winter that I found I wanted to carry her again, when it was too muddy for pushchairs. I bought a packpack style carrier and despite loving it, neither of us found it comfortable for long, so we sold it. Then she walked and we stopped worrying.

I knew I would need to carry Baby 2, and my friend let me a borrow her Moby wrap. Lowen arrived, I wrapped, I liked it, but I could never get her to stay tight in the wrap, she was always slipping away as it loosened itselt and I didn't feel that confident wrapping myself... Cue the Action Baby Carrier. I've never looked back and I use it a lot. It's been great for my unexpected days at work as Lowen has slept in it while I've been at my desk, great while I'm nipping down to the doctors and Effy wants to walk, great for popping into town when I've not got Effy in tow. She's comfortable, I'm comfortable and I thought at £70 it was really reasonably price. Getting hold of the prints is hard, but I am a HUGE lover of blue and white and I adore the blue maze print. As she grows she'll be able to go on my back, D loves carrying her too and it's so quick to adjust and throw on... My best purchase without a doubt. I wish I'd bought one for Effy. Oh hindsight! 

So, I've read a lot of babywearing stories this last month. Here are my top tips for baby wearing.

• Visit a sling library and take advantage of being able to try slings and carriers before you buy and get expert advice on positioning.
• Consider preloved, especially for woven wraps as they've already been broken in for you but be sure to check they are in a condition you are happy with.
• Dress your appropriately when carrying; it's warm in there, so consider layers, but don't forget about bare legs and tops of heads in the sunshine either!
• Use a mirror or reflective surface to check baby's position once secure.
• Just because you're hands free doesn't mean you're invincible; think carefully about what you're doing while carrying as suddently your inquisitive toddler is at your height and able to grab things they wouldn't be able to on the ground...
• Above all remember TICKS! Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, Supported straight back.

I hope you've enjoyed Sling it, Mama! and maybe felt inspired to babywear as a result. You can read all the guest posts here.

Sling it, Mama! #9 Guest Post: Stretchy Wraps

We're continuing to explore babywearing options this week with Abigail... A fabulously informative post from a very knowledgeable lady indeed who has found time to pen this, thanks no doubt to having wrapped up her tiny baby for a bit... Thanks Abigail!

A stretchy wrap is pretty much what the name suggests, a long length of stretchy fabric wrapped around the body to carry the baby in place. I found wrapping totally confusing when I had my daughter in 2011. I had a Kari-Me stretchy wrap but gave up pretty soon after a couple of rather half hearted attempts. I found the sheer amount of fabric completely overwhelming and my daughter screamed blue murder whenever I tried to manoeuvre her into position. So the wrap went on eBay and I got a mei tai which I found much easier. I always wished I'd persevered with wrapping though and even mastered a woven wrap when she was older and felt more robust. But I felt sure when I had another baby I would master the stretchy! 

Strechies made perfect sense to me for newborns. They hold the baby super snugly in an anatomically correct position, with baby's head against mother's chest so they can hear their heartbeat, all mimicking the environment of the womb. I'm a firm believer in the idea of a 4th trimester and allowing your baby to make that slow transition from womb to world. They're perfect for combining your baby's need to be held close with your own need to play with an older child or simply do a bit of washing up!
I finally learned to use a stretchy wrap during my training as a BabyCalm teacher. I soon realised how easy it was once I'd seen someone demonstrate it, rather than trying to read an instruction book with one hand and manoeuvre a wriggly baby into a length of fabric with the other! Once I started teaching other mums it became second nature so I couldn't wait to wrap my son when I was pregnant with him.

The great thing about stretchy wraps is that you pre-tie them, meaning you tie the wrap around you first then "scootch" the baby in. No complicated holding baby in position while wrapping the fabric around them. Once the wrap is on you can simply pop baby in and out for feeds or nappy changes throughout the day, with a few minor adjustments to make sure you are following the babywearing safety guidelines known as TICKS*.

Using a stretchy wrap is second nature to me now. We haven't used the pram since my daughter was a couple of months old and haven't even dusted it off to use with my son. I would encourage anyone with a newborn to give a stretchy a go, I really regret not persevering with my daughter, especially as she wouldn't be put down for a second without screaming! Now she's 2 and a half I often need to be hands free to play with her too, so popping my son in the wrap is perfect. Here's a few tips for beginners:

* Ask someone experienced to show you how to use one first, be it an experienced friend or babywearing peer supporter/consultant at a sling meet. Or there's plenty of instructional videos on YouTube.
* Have your partner or friend around to help as an extra pair of hands for your first couple of attempts or stand over your bed. You won't drop your baby but you'll feel more confident if there's support around you.
* Don't be put off and give up if your baby screams when first in the wrap. This is where I went wrong! Once baby is in securely then MOVE! Walk, dance, jiggle, do anything. Remember, the womb is a busy place and babies are used to being rocked as you move. Instant sleepy dust, great for those fussy evenings.

Stretchy wraps can be used up to about 35lbs so you'll get plenty of use out of it for your investment and there's a variety of carries to try. They can be bought for around £40 new or from around £15 preloved. However, many people move on to a woven wrap or other type of sling/carrier before then for variety, extra support or a desire to wear baby on their back which isn't recommended with a stretchy due to the nature of the fabric. There's really nothing to lose and a lot to gain for both you and your baby, so why not give a stretchy wrap a try?

Wishing you hands-free fun!

*TICKS
Tight
In view
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chestSupported straight back

Abigail's blog is currently under a revamp but she tweets as @midwifetomum

Sling it, Mama! #8 Guest Post: Babywearing and I

Today I'm sharing another babywearing journey, this time from my old friend Mummy Morkus. Thanks for taking the time to write this!

I came pretty late to the baby wearing game. I had brought for me a lovely woven wrap, long gorgeous colours and print. Super soft bamboo. Lush. 

I tried it too early following my section. It left my scar sore and it agrivated back issues following my section. I loved it however and was very sad to find it uncomfortable. It also took me a while to get the wrapping right as this in expert tie below [image at bottom of post] shows!

We waited until L was with us before taking her and J shopping to find a carrier for him, and I, to use. And so a buckle carrier joined us.

This was fab for both J and I until L started to get bigger. We are no where near the weight limit for this bit of kit but it has reached the end of its life for us because of the pain carring a baby who is 9kg. 

It was after a particularly painful journey to and from the library that I re investigated the local sling library. By this point L was nine months. And boy did I miss a trick not going sooner. Hugh boxes full of all manner of slings. 

Woven, stretchy, buckle, structured, ring. Loads of choice. And some one to help you put it on, get it fitting right and to help you put baby in for the first time. Fab. 

I left with a manduca sling, this is a buckle carrier which is pretty structured. It has a little snooze hood to keep sleeping baby cozy. The straps are very padded and it fits around the natural waist. L is also held in a better position wrapped around me rather than legs dangling. This made an instant and massive difference when wearing her. It distributes the weight much more evenly and makes it much more comfortable carrying a 9kg baby. 

This carrier also allowed L to have her arms free so she could peep and watch the world go by. Something which is vital for my nosy baby girl!! 

It transformed baby wearing for me into a go to method of taking out L on my own. Especially for journeys with the dog, to the buggy unfriendly library and children centres and most recently to and from nursery settling sessions. L sleeps well in the sling and I love the closeness of carrying her. 

J has also enjoyed using this sling. The gender neutralness probably helped as other than the Bjorn J never used my woven joy.

I used my woven on and off until L was board facing me, it's still my favourite sling for snuggly newborns but I am yet to find a new wrap position in it to suit us now L is bigger. I would reccomend any new parent to investigate a woven or stretchy wrap for the first 5/6 months. 

I regret not going back to wearing sooner after properly healing but it has taken me a while to trust my body and it's stength again. I will definitely be reaching for slings sooner with baby no.2 when ever that happens! I can see it being even more ideal when also running after L.

Mummy Morkus blogs at The Life and Times of Mummy Morkus and tweets as @mummymorkus - please do pop by and share the love! 

Sling it, Mama! #7 Guest Post: Ring slings

Lovely Ali is joining us today from the other side of the pond to share her insights into the ring sling - thanks Ali! 

I am mother to a 16 month old Myra and a Volunteer Babywearing Educator (VBE) with the South Metro Minneapolis chapter of Babywearing International. Our babywearing journey started when she was just days old. In those early days, we used a stretchy wrap, a soft structured carrier (SSC), and, most often, a Baby K'Tan. I loved the K'Tan because it was quick, simple, and folded up nice and small. As Myra got heavier, we hung onto the SSCs and started exploring woven wraps. I started getting involved with a nearby babywearing group a year ago and tried some Mei Tais from the lending library. I was so determined to get the hang of woven wraps and loved my SSC so much, I never really gave ring slings a chance until Myra was about nine months old.
When I finally gave ring slings a try, Myra was mobile and curious. Similar to the K'Tan I had loved so much, the ring sling was simple and small. I can get Myra in or out of it very quickly, which seems to be important at any stage of babywearing. Newborns need to eat and be changed frequently (I will add, nursing in a ring sling is totally do-able!), crawlers want to get down and explore often, and toddlers just can't make up their minds (up, down, up, down, up). It took me a while to figure out exactly what positioning is most comfortable for us, but now it's a very quick process. With a ring sling, little ones can be worn in front (tummy to tummy), hip, cradle, or even in a back carry. I am not comfortable with a back carry in a ring sling for very long, but it's a great option when I am paying for groceries and need to get Myra's little "helpful" hands out of my way for a minute. I keep a ring sling in each of our vehicles and that is what I primarily use when running errands. I can put her in the sling very quickly, bring groceries into the house, then get her down so she can play. I like that it doesn't take longer to get her into the sling than it does to bring in the groceries. I love using the sling in situations where I wish I just had an extra arm, if only for a few minutes (think weddings, buffet line, shopping, loading the car, airports, assisting another child, etc.)

Another perk of ring slings is the price range. One could get a ring sling for $20, or spend hundreds. I have many friends who have made their own from a piece of linen or even a jacquard weave tablecloth. On the other hand, I have other friends who own professionally made ring slings from hand woven wraps. There are also no-sew versions that just require a short wrap or piece of fabric and the rings. The options are endless!

Although it took me 9 months to find ring sling love, I think it's here to stay. I still have a variety of carriers and love them all for different situations, but ring slings have definitely been my carrier of choice lately. I look forward to using a ring sling with a newborn when another baby joins our family...someday!

Ali blogs over here and tweets here. Please do pay her a visit and show her some love!

 

Sling it, Mama! #6 Guest Post: Reminiscing about babies worn

Today's guest post made me proper belly laugh and get a smidge teary all in one read. Cheryl's reflecting on her time as a baby wearer now that her brood are all too big to be worn. Thanks for taking the time to dig out your old pictures, Cheryl! 

Hi. I'm Cheryl and I'm excited to be here talking about baby wearing.  I started my baby wearing journey about 12 years ago, which should explain why my photos look old. Most are pre-digital camera. I carried all three of my babies, just not at the same time.

Before my eldest was born, I researched the best carriers. I'm not sure we had baby sling libraries then, but I wish we had. I tried out a few slings before I found the one that worked for me.

I knew from the start that I wanted to carry my baby. I hated prams. Admittedly, my only real encounter with prams was other people's whilst out shopping. I could see what a hassle it was getting them in and out of shops. Easy access regulations were just a twinkle in the bureaucrat’s eye at that stage.

Of course, we did buy a pram. One of those first time parents' mistakes. It lived up to everything that I thought it would be. Big, awkward and developed flat tyres the first time it went down our country lane. (Tyre being mended for the 100^th time, above) It refused to collapse, which was fun in the car.

When eldest was on her way, I was lucky to receive a few hand me down baby carriers.

• One I can only describe as a cage that went on my back. I couldn't walk.
• One I nicknamed as an octopus due to the number of straps that were meant to wrap round me. No instructions, so I gave up.
• One was an over one shoulder type. Again no instructions and my attempts to wear it were uncomfortable. I abandoned it.

I didn't know anyone who wore their baby. So no advice.

Eventually I bought a front carrying buckle type. Like a Baby Bjorn. It worked perfectly until her legs grew too long for me to walk comfortably. Even my husband was happy to use it. I loved being able to chat to her as I walked. I would wear it round the house, if she was restless.

Roll on two years. Next baby. This time I had more success researching online. I found a sling that suited me. And it came with instructions. Not only that, but I could buy a matching dolly sling for my eldest too. She loved it. I am glad to say that her little sister stayed in her sling better than some of the teddies in her big sister's version, but she loved being like me.

This sling (mine, not the dolly sling) is the one I stuck with through to the point that the next baby, my son, no longer needed it. I must have walked 100s of miles wearing it. Whether it was dog walking, holiday outings or shopping, I carried my babies.

Waiting in the playground, I was a rarity. People were curious about the sling and tended to ask the same questions:

1. Does it hurt your back? No. Muscles build up as the baby grows to toddler, so it’s not a sudden big weight. Wearing it every day, helps with this one.

2. Aren't you afraid he/she will fall out? No. Never was a problem. Baby is held so close and I'm conscious of them that it felt safer than having them in a pram.

3. Can they sleep when you are walking? Erm, yes. The rhythm rocks them asleep. It’s handy for feeding too.

4. Don’t they pull your hair? Yes. Why do you think I spent my baby wearing years with my hair scraped back?

I still have it. Not sure why. Probably because it brings back lovely memories. It was so flexible and comfortable. I loved having my babies close. It doesn't suit everyone, but it suited us.

My days of baby wearing are over. Youngest is 6 years old and can walk miles. I can't help smiling when I encounter other people wearing their babies. I can't imagine another way.

Thanks for having me over, Hannah. It’s been fun reminiscing. 

Cheryl blogs at Time To Craft and Tweets as @cherylintheuk - please pop by and show her some love! 

Sling it, Mama! #5 Guest Post: Ocha Wrap conversion

We're storming through slings like they're going out of fashion, and I'm thrilled that Charlotte has shared her babywearing journey which finally led her to a conversion wrap - thanks so much, Charlotte.

I love babywearing. Like really, really love it. Slings are fantastic and totally underrated in the modern world of parenting. There have been so many times in my brief few years of being a mother where having a sling has literally saved the day for me - try trying to fit on a packed city bus, wander around a festival or go hiking with a pram, not so fun!

When you first get into babywearing it can be a bit like an addiction. We went through many slings until we found 'the one'. Mei Tais, stretchy wraps, woven wraps, ring slings... and they don't come cheap. Parenting forums are a great way to get cheaper slings and buying them preloved means they are already 'broken in' i.e. soft and squishy and flexible.

Trying out loads of different slings is great - everyone has their own style, some slings may be more comfortable than others for different people - and babies often have a preference too! If you don't have the moolah there are sling libraries or meetups where you can try a variety and see which suits you best.

After buying and reselling a lot of slings we finally found 'the one'. The sling that I still have folded away in a cupboard because I can't bare to part with it even though my babies have outgrown it! I found it on a preloved sling forum, I saw the picture and was instantly smitten. I fought internally with myself for a while 'I don't need another sling! But I love it!'. And I did it. I bought it.

When it arrived we were so excited to try it out, and the moment I put Joshua my baby boy in it, he snuggled up to me and dozed off. Just like that. And that's when I knew it was 'the one'. A hybrid wrap conversion by Ocha made from the beautiful Didymos Agave wrap, with owl fabric and appliqued owls on the sleepy hood. We always got comments about this sling no matter where we were - shopping in town, at festivals... and Joshua loved it. He loved sleeping in it, watching the world go by, he'd always be smiling and giggling.

So yeah, our favourite sling is now tucked away ready to be put to use in the future ;) or passed down to my children for when I have grandbabies, whichever way life decides to take us. I wholeheartedly recommend any parent to try babywearing and if you think it's not for you, you probably haven't found 'the one' yet!

Charlotte blogs at Winegums and Watermelons and tweets here - do show her some love! 

Sling it, Mama! #4 Guest Post: My favourite slings

Thrilled to have one of my best ladies writing for me today about a few of her favourite slings. She's certainly been a mama on a mission to find the perfect sling for her and Dot!!

...when the bills come, when the girl cries, when I'm feeling blue, I simply remember my favourite slings, and then I don't feel, sooooooo baaaaaaad!

Sorry, could't resist, but you get the point.

My journey into baby wearing began when Dot was just weeks old - we were given a Moby Wrap, and I have to say, when she was tiny, it was great.... fiddly... but great! She was so snug and cosy, and I adored wearing it. However as she became bigger and more awake, it was clear it wasn't going to be our 'forever' sling. So, off I went to the New Forest Sling Library - quite frankly one of the best things I ever did on maternity leave. I would recommend this as a starting point for anyone wanting to wear their little one. The way ours work is like this - you rock up with a cheque book (for the deposit) and £5 for the hire, and play with, try on, and experiment with a world of different slings, carriers and wraps. each month you can take a different one (which I did!) and then return and try all over again. It's fab!!

Anyway, month one - Dot is about 4 months by now, and we try on and borrow a Hoppediz HopTye.... well the love was formed instantly. This is a mei tei carrier - essentially, it has a panel of fabric to hold baby, and 4 long straps to do up around your waist and shoulders. The reason I liked this one so much was the fabric is woven, so very strong as well as cosy for babies, and the sleep hood on it was lovely and big - so my snuggly Dot was right as rain!!

I reviewed it a few times, so please feel free to have a look.

I think the ease of this carrier was key - once I had realised that actually what I needed from a baby wearing devise was to be able to put it on myself without a faff, I instantly became hooked on finding the best and easiest carrier for me and Dot.

The journey took me a few months, in fact it wasn't until Dot was 9 months old that we found the one I was willing to part money for..... the Babies in Space SSC.... Heaven.

So why do I love it so much I was willing to part my hard earned pennies, and have it shipped all the way from Australia? 

Several reasons - this was the first buckle carrier I had used, it was simple, fast, and felt so secure. Now other's I have tried had felt safe, don't get me wrong, but this was different. It was going no where!!

Secondly, the waist band is chunky... something I know some people might not like, but for me it meant comfort and security for Dot. This coupled with the thick back panel and chunky straps means no digging in, lots of support and a snug baby for sure.

Thirdly, the hood is massive!! and grows with your child. As a front and back carry system, this means that regardless of how old your baby is, they can still have the hood up for snoozing. Something I have not seen before. It also packs away into a little front pocket.

Fourthly, they're beautiful. No denying it. And the girl who makes them does custom ones as well, so you can choose your own fabric! That's pretty cool!

Fifthly (not even sure if these are words now.... but this is how much I love it), myself and my husband fight over who wears Dot now. He has also fallen in love with it (but he won't admit it!)

And last but by no means least - I know Dot is safe as houses in it. She is perfectly sat, she is comfy, and is HAPPY! 

I guess it comes down to nothing else. You can spend a little money, or a lot of money, but as with everything else in motherhood - your child's happiness is key. And Babies in Space have made for one happy baby that is for sure!! 

Nici blogs over at The Dorothy Chronicles and can be found on Twitter here - go and sing to her about slings!

Sling it, Mama! #3 Guest Post: From baby wearing to toddler wearing

We're into week 2 of Sling it, Mama! and it's lovely having so many people contributing to the series. Today, Bec is sharing her journey from baby wearing to toddler wearing - thanks Bec! 

I remember going to see a babywearing consultant when I was pregnant, asking specifically for slings for a baby up to 6 months. My plan was to carry until bubs was ready to go in a lightweight stroller, then make the switch.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

When Eleanor made her entrance into the world, we tried and failed to use the Moby stretchy wrap we'd been recommended. I just couldn't get the knack of getting her in it, although I'm determined to give it another go next time round after friends have raved about them. We then rented an infant Connecta for a bit before buying a Bondolino. I loved that Bondolino. So did Eleanor. For front carrying, it was brilliant. I got addicted to the lovely, snuggly closeness, and I used the carrier almost daily until she was 1, then fairly regularly until she was 18 months.

But by then front carry was hard work, and I just couldn't get the hang of getting her on my back on my own. Reluctantly I started using the pushchair more and more, until the carrier only came out once in a blue moon. By the time Eleanor was 2, I thought my babywearing days were over.

Then came a dilemma –  by this time, Eleanor could walk small journeys, which meant she resisted the pushchair. But while she was happy to walk to nearby places like the church where her playgroup is based, when home time came around she'd be too tired to walk and would ask to be carried. I experimented with a hip seat, but as we live up a hill I found it dug into my hip. I didn't want to cart the pushchair around just for the return journey, so we looked into toddler carriers, hoping I'd figure out the back carry more easily with them.

I asked Twitter - y'know, the foolproof way of garnering parenting advice - and was recommended a Toddler Connecta, so I tracked down one in the fabulous Zoology print. I soon worked out how to get her on my back solo, although it is still tricky and I need to sit down to do it. I instantly felt how much more supportive it was than the Bondolino – although that carrier was great when a baby was in it, carrying a toddler felt very heavy! However, the Toddler Connecta has a wide enough base to support the little one from knee to knee, which creates less drag on your back and shoulders.

I love the Toddler Connecta now. I love that I can get it on independently, I love that I can wrap it up and shove it in my bag so that I can whip it out for the homeward leg of our journeys, and I love the closeness. I'd missed it so much, and while back carry is very different to front carry, it's still lovely to feel Eleanor's tummy resting against my back, and when she sleepily lays her head on my shoulders it melts my heart!

I get quite a bit of attention when we're using the carrier, but I've had surprisingly few negative comments. Babywearing at all is so unusual in our culture, I thought toddlerwearing was sure to be met with disapproval, but most people are just very interested in it. Once I was walking along the street and saw an older man watching us. "There's someone following you!" he said. Oh, here we go, I thought, and cheerily responded, "yes, very closely!" The man smiled, and to my surprise he said, "She loves it, doesn't she?" It made me smile that he recognised that this was something that made my daughter happy.

And it does make her happy. She loves going on Mummy's back – given the option, it's the mode of transport she usually opts for. And it makes me happy to have her close, to hear her chattering away instead of leaning over a pushchair saying, "what? I didn't hear that." I don't know how long I'll keep using the carrier, but I'm so glad that, thanks to the Toddler Connecta, my babywearing (or toddlerwearing) days aren't over yet!

Bec blogs at Growing a Girl Against the Grain and Tweets as @becb1984 - please do stop by and show her some love!

Sling it, Mama! #2 Guest Post: Boba 4G

On Tuesday, Chantelle compared wraps and mei tais for the babywearing series. Today, our second guest blogger Donna is raving about her Boba 4G carrier - thanks Donna! 

I only carried my first child, LP, in a carrier a handful of times - I found it easier to use a pushchair, somewhere to put the change bag above anything else! But since having my Little Man I have found babywearing invaluable.

I had two children 20 months apart and the eldest was new to walking so I looked for any ways to make my life easier. During pregnancy we bought a huge monster of a double buggy but when we started to use it as a double I found it so cumbersome - It wouldn't fit in the car boot unless I took all the wheels and footmuffs off and it didn't fit through our doorways at home. To make things easier I started to only use the double buggy when I was walking somewhere from home - About once a week, and the rest of the time I would drive somewhere and take a single pushchair and carry Little Man in my Close Caboo.

Unfortunately though Little Man got too big for the Caboo very quickly so I borrowed a friend's Ergo and then was sent the Boba 4G to review - I haven't looked back! In hindsight I think I would still choose the Close Caboo from newborn as I love the stretchy wrap style but the Boba 4G is definitely my carrier of preference for long term usage.

The Boba 4G is a structured baby carrier that has multiple straps and toggles to make sure that it fits you and your baby perfectly. It is suitable from 7lbs onwards and comes with a newborn insert to use when your baby is tiny - I know many other carrier manufacturers charge extra for a newborn insert. The Boba 4G also has a detachable hood to protect your baby from the elements but also to give it some support when sleeping and a high back makes it incredibly supportive when carrying your baby at any time.

A few things that I love about the Boba 4G compared to other carriers are mainly the little details - It has a clip on the shoulder to attach your bag strap, camera strap or baby toys so that they don't fall off your shoulder. Detachable foot straps are included to give your child's legs support as they get bigger and the whole carrier is incredibly easy to put on and adjust by yourself. I honestly have nothing negative to say about the Boba 4G and if you're looking for a carrier that will last from newborn all the way into toddlerhood then the Boba 4G may well be for you!

At times babywearing has saved my sanity, it's let Little Man sleep whilst I have my hands free to look after his sister and it's made shopping trips and running errands so much easier. There have been times where I don't know what I would have done without a baby carrier!

Donna blogs at http://redheadbabyled.com, and you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter - Do pay her and visit and give her some love!  

Sling it, Mama! #1 Guest Post: Mei tais vs Wraps

I am THRILLED to have a host of lovely guest bloggers lined up for the next few weeks to share some wisdom about baby wearing with you. Lowen is 8 weeks old and I've barely used the pram as I've completely fallen in love with my carrier which is what has inspired this series... But more about us later!

Kicking us off today is Chantelle who blogs over at www.mamamummymum.co.uk with a rather fabulous comparison of mei tais vs wraps - thanks Chantelle! 

I am a huge fan of babywearing but even now I have to admit with so many carriers, wraps etc available, it can be hard to know just which one is right for you and your little one. I started babywearing with my third child, but it wasn't until I had my last child, that I really started to understand all about correct positioning, different carries for different carriers etc. It all sounded rather daunting in the beginning but I soon found out what suited both myself and Layla.

My collection now consists of a mixture of wraps and men tais, so I thought I would share with you just why I like them both and the similarities and differences between both methods of babywearing.

Sizes

Wraps can be bought in a variety of lengths depending on what type of carries you are wanting to use them for. The lengths available are : 2.6m. 3.2m, 3.6m, 4.2m, 4.6m and 5.2m

Mei tais used to come in a standard size however more and more brands are making different sizes available, these include : baby size, toddler size and preschool size.

Both are easily adjustable so will suit the majority of both men and women.

The difference is that with wraps, if you buy a larger size you can have it cut down and made smaller if you change your mind on sizing, you can even have a wrap made into a ring sling if you want, but you can't change a mei tais sizing once made.

What age babies are they suitable for?

Both wraps and mei tais can be used from when your little one is a newborn.

Wraps will last right up until your little one no longer wants or needs carrying.

Mei tais tend to become too small once your child reaches a certain size, you can use the straps to keep them 'knee to knee' for longer but you may find the height of the carrier becomes too short and I would then suggest you buy a larger mei tai.

Carrying Positions

The great thing with both these methods of babywearing is that baby can be carried on the front, back or hip.

I find the mei tai easier to tie but the wrap just pips the mei tai here as there are a bigger variety of carries that you can do with a wrap that you just can't do with a mei tai.

Accessories

A wrap is just that, a wrap, there are no add ons, but I think this is why wraps are so good because they are simple yet effective.

Mei tais come in many different styles, some have hoods to pop over your little ones head, some have pockets for you to pop your keys in. You can also by sucker pads to go round the straps for your baby to chew on.

Pricing

With so many different styles, brands and designs of both wraps and mei tais available, I wouldn't say either one is more expensive than the other, there are ones out there to suit every persons budget.

Conclusion

Overall I don't think one carrier is better than the other. They both have their positives and negatives but babywearing much like anything is personal preference. I prefer using my mei tai when I need to get out of the door quickly as I find it easier to get on but if I know I will be out all day then I opt for a wrap as I find it more comfortable as I can spread out the material.

Do you have a favourite baby carrier??

Chantelle blogs at www.mamamummymum.co.uk and tweets as @MamaMummyMum

Do pop by and show her some love!